This is a story about a group of over-stressed front-line health care workers who leave their jobs for a few days to experience the healing power of nature.
A nonprofit called First Descents saw a way to deliver some of the well-researched benefits of time in nature—reduced stress and anxiety, and improved social connectedness and physical health—to the health care workers on the front lines of the global pandemic.
“We do know that nature heals, and time outside—just 15 minutes alone—has mental health benefits,” says Mackenzie McGrath. “So there’s science behind that.”
My favorite stories to write are often about the transformative power of sports and of nature—how spending time in both can make you feel better and be better, mentally and physically. But when I have these stories that I think are fascinating, I’m often told they’re not mainstream enough or trendy enough to publish. Sometimes that’s the point of writing, though—to shine a light on things that should be getting more attention. That’s how I feel about First Descents, which takes young people affected by cancer and other serious health conditions, along with health care workers who are struggling, on outdoor adventure trips that give them a respite, a chance to connect with peers who understand what they’re going through, and activities like surfing and kayaking that help them feel empowered.
In this story, I am thankful that the ICU nurse at the center of it entrusted me with sharing her experience, in hopes that it would improve people’s understanding.
I’m thankful that the magazine Hidden Compass agreed with me that this story should be told. Their approach is different: “We rely on grassroots support rather than targeted advertising or selling user data. This lets us focus on publishing the best stories we can find and on celebrating you and your work.” The grassroots support comes through each writer’s “patronage campaign,” and if you contribute, they get half, and I get half. If you like this work, please consider contributing. My campaign closes on May 8.
In the video below, I talk with the Hidden Compass founders about why this story matters.